“Courage, it’s me. Do not be afraid.”

Tina 4 Comments

Also known as: Seeing God in the rain

I know I said I’d blog more, but I didn’t. But now I am, so yay!

Last week, we experienced another one of those super heavy rains that was caused indirectly by a typhoon, directly by an increasingly weird weather system here in the country because of global warming (so they say). It was the second time that it happened in this rainy season, but the difference this time around was I was still at home when the deluge of rain hit. I also just recovered from a 48-hour bug that rendered me sleeping all weekend and a mother of all headaches caused by an ear infection. As if that wasn’t enough, I was also worried about all the things I need to prepare for my upcoming pilgrimage, and being stuck at home for another day is not really the best way I see myself preparing.

So naturally, I was semi-freaking out that Tuesday because of so many things. Funny how I always freak out before settling down for my daily prayers. Of course, the Gospel just had something for me that day:

As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.

But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

(Matthew 14:22-27)

Stress on this, please?

 But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

It’s funny how often I forget that even the rains come from God. And even if it is a deluge of rains or caused by global warming, or brought by a typhoon, it is still from Him, and He is infinitely more powerful than any of that. And even in all that hardship and destruction and wet feet and commuting pains, God is in all of that. And because of that, there really is no reason to be afraid.

Taking a step further, if God is all-knowing, all-seeing and just basically in control of everything, then I can imagine Him saying that to me all the time, in every uncertainty in life: Courage, it’s Me. Don’t be afraid.

Like last week, when I’m having all these weird sick feeling after recovering from the weekend, and I know I can’t be sick because I’m flying to Europe soon. I’m scared and worried. Courage, it’s Me. Don’t be afraid.

Or when I am worried with the things I’m leaving for my two-week trip. I don’t know how to handle everything. Courage, it’s Me. Don’t be afraid.

Or when I am faced with the possibility of something BIG, something I have never encountered in my quarter-life existence, a possibility of something I’ve been praying for for the longest time, but the very thought of it scares me silly that I just want to run and hide. Courage, it’s Me. Do not be afraid.

So why should I be afraid when everywhere I turn, there is God? And no matter how bad everything is, no matter how undesirable the circumstance, and even if it is a good and new and exciting thing, He assures me that He is in every little thing that surrounds me, and because of that, I have no reason to fear? God is bigger and stronger and more powerful than anything else in this world, and yet He chooses to comfort  me and remind me that it is Him and there is no reason to be afraid — I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel loved and humbled at the same time.

Take heart. It’s Him. Do not be afraid. :)

Pero enseguida Jesús les dijo: “Tengan ánimo, soy Yo; no teman.” (Mateo 14:27, nblh)

 

See you in August

Tina 2 Comments

Also known as: One step closer to World Youth Day in Madrid :)

I told you I’d have a reason to blog more. :)

Last night I was very, very antsy because our WYD group leader sent a message to pray for our visas which was to be released today. Last June, I was already majorly antsy about it because it was the scheduled group appointment, where our leader represented us to the embassy. I had a good feeling that we’d get the visa, but who knows, right? After the appointment, I thought we’d know already, but it turns out it won’t be until July 15.

So the waiting starts. And I pretty much put it at the back of my mind, even if I’ve been praying for it everyday. When that text message came last night to pray for 100% approval, I was worried again.

I mean, I know I have all documents submitted…but who knows right? Anything could still go wrong.

But God wouldn’t let that happen, right? I’ve come this far, why take it away?

And I was given an Australian visa 3 years ago, and I was less financially capable. So why not this one, right?

Still.

And so I asked.

And then.

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When you hear this chorus

Tina Leave a comment

Also known as: Mayday Parade in Manila…well, a bit of it, anyway

So, I meant to blog, but as always, I haven’t blogged much. That just never change lately. Oh well. But I see a blogging event coming soon, so…wait for it.

In the meantime, I will leave you with this. Last week, I went to my third concert for 2011. This is one of those concerts that I did not think I’d go to, if it weren’t for some people convincing me to go with them. Not that I mind, of course, since I ended up liking the band anyway. It’s kind of nice to do that, be a part of a screaming fan crowd and also kind of watch it too. I like the novelty. :)

But anyway. I can’t say much, because, well, I’m not really a fan (yet), but it was a great night. Meralco Theater had good acoustics, and the band was so hyper. The screaming fangirls were awfully loud, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re a fan. Oh, and I still can’t get over how thin the lead vocalist is.

So I apologize for the lack of pictures. Some people can recap the event better than I do, really. But here’s a video of one of their hit songs, Three Cheers for Five Years:

[youtube 5ybOVLkXois]

And another, my favorite, but it’s the song with an insanely long title that I have a hard time remembering the entire thing. Seriously.

[youtube ENohXVsGOmw]

Now if only they have happier songs…